A COMMUNITY pub which was a popular match-day haunt for Blackburn Rovers fans could be revived as a bar and bistro under new plans.

And the planning application to convert and extend Uncle Jacks in Lower Darwen, which was named after Rovers’ legendary owner the late Jack Walker, could see a hair salon built too.

The Branch Road pub shut in November 2019 but was bought by Mark Holden, owner of the nearby plastering contractor Red Rose Dry Lining, in the summer of 2020.

Mr Holden said: “We want to see the building back in use and not falling into disrepair which it has done over the past few years.

“We want to give something back to the community.”

Agents Charles Stanton of Stanton Andrews Ltd architects in Clitheroe prepared a report for planners. It said: “The applicant is committed to finding a long-term viable use for the property, simply retaining it as a public house with staff accommodation above is not financially viable.”

Among the changes will see the main central doors serve a hair and beauty salon and a lobby for access to rented flats on the first floor.

The entrance to the pub would be moved to the garden side of the pub.

The application said: “The ground floor will be remodelled to provide a kitchen and a disabled toilet with the new male and female toilet located within the basement.

“A glazed rear extension will provide additional kitchen space whilst providing additional dining space that has a better connection to the garden and river.”

Artists’ impressions show the bar could be rebranded as Jacks.

Richey Pull, of the Facebook group Closed Pubs of Blackburn, said: “This is fantastic news for the area and Blackburn in general.

“With the Blackamoor closed and the nearest pub being The Golden Cup or The Fernhurst, I’m sure this is what the residents of Lower Darwen will be happy about.

“All being well, the reopening of Uncle Jacks will also serve as a community hub for the area. Let’s hope the planning application goes ahead and the historic pub reopens.”

Stephen Hughes, licensee and founder of Blackburn and Darwen Pubs (Past and Present) Facebook group, said: “After the period where the pub was protected as an Asset of Community Value expired in May 2020, it was assumed that the building would be sadly converted for sole residential use, as is often the norm these days.

“This latest news is therefore very much welcomed and appears to be a well-thought out scheme that will maximise use of the building and preserve it for a mix of future community uses, including public house and salon space.

“It will also improve and restore the existing building that was becoming increasingly rundown and vandalised.

“Good luck to the new owners with their plans.”

Cllr Phil Riley, who is the council’s regeneration boss, said: “I think it is a good thing that it will be coming back into use as it is a prominent building on a junction.

“We will have to see how it goes but we wish them well.”

Catherine Pickering, Alison Duxbury and Heather Leaver of the Save Uncle Jacks community group which was set up after the pub closed said: “We are pleased that the new owner has submitted plans for a community establishment as that’s what the Save Uncle Jacks committee set out to do.

“It is good news for the community especially with the difficult times that we have had to face recently.

“It would be an amazing that we have a focal point in the village when lockdown ends.”